Things to do in Mountains
The mountain ranges of Bulgaria have a lot to offer visitors besides their famous ski resorts. The mountain scenery is glorious and most activities and attractions in the Bulgarian mountains revolve around outdoor activities and experiencing the beautiful landscapes. In winter, skiing and snowboarding are the activities of choice, and in summer hiking, climbing, camping, picnicking, hunting, and fishing are popular.
The pretty Rhodope Mountains are known for ecotourism and ethnographic gems such as the picturesque village of Momchilovtsi, which is famous for its well-preserved architecture, folk traditions and crafts.
There are a number of these charming villages in the Rhodope range. Two of the most remote and authentic are Leshten and Kavachevitsa, in the southwest, which are tiny old towns built almost entirely out of stone and remarkably untouched by the modern world. The Rhodope Mountains also boast a number of ancient Thracian sites, including Perperikon and Tatul, and some wonderful caves.
The Pirin Mountains are perhaps the most rugged and beautiful of Bulgaria's mountains and the greatest tourist attraction of the Pirin range is the awe-inspiring Pirin National Park, which is listed by UNESCO.
A great base from which to explore Pirin's numerous hiking trails and natural attractions is the village of Bansko, which is an important tourism centre as well as a popular ski resort. One of the most visited attractions in Pirin is the Rozhen Monastery, a beautifully preserved medieval monastery with some valuable frescoes and artefacts.
Bulgaria's largest national park, the Rila National Park, is located in the central region of the Rila Mountain range and attracts visitors with its alpine lakes and hot mineral springs, as well as its wealth of natural splendour and outdoor activities. The Rila Mountains boast one of Bulgaria's most famous attractions, the ancient Rila Monastery, and the country's oldest ski resort, the village of Borovets, which is a great place to stay while exploring the mountains.
Pirin National Park
Situated in the highest reaches of the Pirin Mountains, Pirin National Park encompasses rugged alpine peaks that rise 8,202ft (2,500m) into the atmosphere with more than a hundred …
Pirin National Park
Situated in the highest reaches of the Pirin Mountains, Pirin National Park encompasses rugged alpine peaks that rise 8,202ft (2,500m) into the atmosphere with more than a hundred glacial lakes spread at their feet. The magnificent landscape is made up of old forests, waterfalls, caves and areas of limestone that are home to near-extinct flowers such as the edelweiss and Pirin poppy. Boasting an abundance of rare and endemic species of plants and animals, this unique national park is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural and National Heritage Site. Alpine mountaineering and skiing are popular activities in Pirin, as is hiking. The park boasts numerous, well-maintained hiking trails which wind through stunning scenery.
Rila Monastery
The biggest and most famous of Bulgaria's monasteries is situated in the northwestern part of the Rila Mountains and is one of the most significant monuments on the Balkan Peninsul…
Rila Monastery
The biggest and most famous of Bulgaria's monasteries is situated in the northwestern part of the Rila Mountains and is one of the most significant monuments on the Balkan Peninsula. Rila Monastery was founded by a hermit, St John of Rila, in the 10th century, and eventually became a monastic complex that played an important role in the spiritual history of medieval Bulgaria. Having survived fire, abandonment and plunder, the monastery fascinates visitors with its exquisite architecture, rich murals and icons and valuable museum collection, including old manuscripts, jewellery, textiles, church treasures and a library containing thousands of books. The Rila Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see attraction for anybody visiting Bulgaria.
Momchilovtsi
In the heart of the Rhodope Mountains lies the picturesque village of Momchilovtsi, a popular cultural and ethnographic centre that has preserved its original folklore, traditions …
Momchilovtsi
In the heart of the Rhodope Mountains lies the picturesque village of Momchilovtsi, a popular cultural and ethnographic centre that has preserved its original folklore, traditions and crafts. The Centre for Traditional Bulgarian Arts and Crafts provides a unique opportunity for visitors to attend courses to learn about, and participate in, traditional crafts like folk dancing, weaving, woodcarving, cooking, music and various artistic handicrafts. In winter it is a popular base from which to visit the famous ski resort of Pamporovo, which is only four miles (7km) away, and the surrounding mountains and rivers offer superb hiking, spelunking, trout fishing, and hunting.
Website www.momchilovtsi.info